Taipei is probably the most tourist-friendly city for me so far. One thing that caught my attention is its mind-blowing transportation system not to mention the trains, might it be MRT, high speed, or the railway. If every city in my country, the Philippines, adapts this ingenious idea, for sure, every Filipino would not face the everyday hassle on getting on both LRT and MRT that each has been experiencing up to this date due to innumerable rather abominable factors that even the government itself could not resolve for such a very long time. How I wish!
Anyway, with a well-planned itinerary and a pleasant mind-set, you can never go broke in Taipei. In fact, I stayed in the city centre for almost a week and I was able to visit most of the sites by only taking the advantage of MRT trains and a few rides on the city bus.
Generally speaking, spending your time around the metro for a few days would be enough; on the other hand, I needed to stay longer not just to fill my memories with picturesque places, but to get to know more about the locals well, taste both extraordinary and ubiquitous delicacies, and understand the culture deeper. But then I realized that there are still a lot to discover: their culinary diversity, well-preserved geo parks, several UNESCO heritage sites, and other night markets that I was not able to try and enjoy. Certainly, I am coming back. Soon!
Attractions:
Sample Itinerary:
08:00 am - Start your tour
08:30 am – Arrive in Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. Have fun at the site.
10:30 am – Back to MRT for 228 Peace Park
Give your time for a stroll.
Not too distant from the park, you can see the Presidential Building.
11:30 am - Back to MRT for Dalongdong Bao'an Temple
Not too distant from the park, you can see the Presidential Building.
11:30 am - Back to MRT for Dalongdong Bao'an Temple
12:00 pm – Have lunch along your way to MRT
01:00 pm – Back to MRT for Martyr's Shrine
01:30 pm – Arrive in Martyrs' Shrine
Stay for about an hour and witness the changing of guards.
02:30 pm - Back to MRT for Longhsan Temple
03:00 pm - Arrive in Longshan. Stay for a few minutes.
03:30 pm - Back to MRT for Ximen Shopping District.
Shopping time
Stay for about an hour and witness the changing of guards.
02:30 pm - Back to MRT for Longhsan Temple
03:00 pm - Arrive in Longshan. Stay for a few minutes.
03:30 pm - Back to MRT for Ximen Shopping District.
Shopping time
Free time until night.
1. Chiang Kai Shek
Memorial Hall
2. 228 Peace Park
3. Presidential
Building
4. Dalongdong Bao’an
Temple
5. Martyrs’ Shrine
6. Longshan Temple
7. Ximen Shopping
District
01. Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall
It is a huge complex
also known as Liberty Square, but most people refer to this as Chiang Kai Shek
Memorial Hall. It is one of the renowned landmarks not only in the city but the
entire country. This square contains a museum, a concert hall, a theatre, a huge park,
and a sheer arc that welcomes the visitors. The place was built
in honor of Chaing Kai Shek, a former president of the Republic of China and was available to the public in 1980 as a national park. The white building
houses a large bronze statue of Chiang, guarded by military personnel which
change every hour. This octagon-shaped structure is approximately 250 ft high
with a very elegant roof, designed like the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Time: 09:00 – 05:00
pm, daily
Admission fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT – RED
line or GREEN line
2. Alight at R08 or
G10
3. Use Exit #5 –
C.K.S. Memorial Hall
4. The complex is just a few feet distant from Exit #5
Tips:
- The national park
is pretty huge. Take some time to enjoy the place and discover more about the history
by visiting its museum.
02. 288 Peace Park
This memorial park
is located at the heart of the city, just a few feet from the Presidential Building
and Chiang Kai Shek Memorial Hall. It is named as 228 Peace Park in memory of
the victims of the February 28 (2/28) incident.
After World War II,
Japanese rulling had ended in Taiwan, and the administration is being
transferred to China. After a couple of years of Taiwan’s repatriation to
China, an issue had escalated causing the agents of Taiwan Monopoly Bureau to
be sent to investigate the tobacco which resulted to confrontation of the
locals and killing of one bystander. On Feb 28, activists gathered outside the
Governor-General’s Office, protesting for the devastating event of the previous
day. Since then, there were cases of rioting and violence all over country.
This oppresive
period in Taiwan’s history, commonly known as ‘White Terror’ resulted to
approximately 10,000 - 30,000 casualties.
Although, the city
management ordinance is somewhat strict, there are still many things to enjoy
in the park. This includes playground, ampitheatre, pavilion, some small ponds
with arched bridge and dragons , and some sculptures. There are also some
areas that are worth-visiting namely
Pergola, the Peace Bell, the Peace Sculpture, 228 Memorial Monument, and Cue
Heng Chamber.
If you pay a visit
to this historical landmark, pls bear in mind the following prohibitions by the
city ordinance:
1. Littering
2. Swimming,
bathing, washing, fishing, any activities that may pollute or poison the water
or anything that harms the plants or animals.
3. Drying your
clothes or other articles.
4. Driving or
parking any vehicles without permission.
5. Cultivating
fruits, vegetables, or other plants without permission.
6. Setting up
tables, chairs, cabinets, or structure of any kind without permission.
7. Using
recreational facilities in ways that don’t comply to the regulations and cause
a threat to safety.
Mind you, the city
government of Taipei is really serious about these ordinances mentioned above.
Those who are caught and proven guilty are subject to a fine from NTD 1,200
to 100,000 or will be turned to the authority, depending on the degree of the
violation,
Time: Open 24 hours,
all year
Admission Fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT - RED line
2. Alight at R09 –
NTU Hospital Station
3. Use Exit #1
4. Exit on the right
side of Exit #1 and you’ll easily see the park.
Tips:
- Be mindful of the provisions beforehand before doing anything at the park.
- if you want to see
some uncommon animals like squirrels, this park is the best for you.
03. Presidential Building
President Building
is one of the most distinguished buildings in Taiwan. This Renaissance-inspired
structure was constructed to serve as the Office of Governor-General during the
Japanese regime. The building had faced several severe damages from bombings
but was then restored after World War II. It started to serve as the presidential
building after the Chinese Civil War.
Time: 09:00 am –
11:30 am, M-F
Admission Fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT – RED
line
2. Get off at R09 - NTU
Station
3. Use Exit # 1
4. Look for Jeisho
Park and from there, you can easily see the Building.
Or
1. Take MRT - BLUE
line or GREEN line
2. Alight at BL11
- Ximen Station or G12 - Ximen Station
3. Use Exit #3
4. Not too far from
Exit #3, you can see this building.
Tips:
- You can visit this
site and enjoy its well-decorated buidling with brilliant lighting on major national holidays.
- The building is
well-guarded by several military personnel within the perimeter. Please keep an
eye on your proximity to the building when taking some photos. Also, be aware
of the designated areas where you can have your pictures.
- A perfect shot of
the whole building can be captured actually in the middle of the road near
Jeisho Park, but it’s too risky.
04. Dalongdong Bao’an Temple
Bao’an Temple is
another must-visit place in Taipei, dedicated to Baosheng Dadi, a Taoist saint. It was constructed in 1742 and faced numerous
reconstructions or renovation to preserve the original structure. In 2003,
UNESCO regarded this religious place as cultural heritage site for
conservation, preserving some important elements such as different carvings and
images of Gods made of stone, wood, and clay, windows using materials like
stone and bamboo, columns with dragons, large images protecting the gates,
murals seen almost every part of the temple, and the drum tower.
Time: 07:00 am –
10:00 pm, daily
Admission fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT - RED
line
2. Get off at R14 –
Yuanshan Station
3. Use Exit #2
4 Walk along Kulun
St., then follow the street markers all the way to Dalongding Bao’an Temple.
Tips:
- Please pay respect
to the people who worship and give some offerings inside the temple.
- Observe silence within
the vicinity at all times.
- You can take
pictures as long as you won’t create any disturbance.
05. Martyrs’ Shrine
Martyrs’ Shrine,
officially known as National Revolutionary Martyrs’ Shrine, was built in 1969 to
honor the sacrifices of nearly 300,000 fallen Kuomintang soldiers during the
war against the communists in mainland China. The complex contains the main
shrine that houses approximately 400,000 spirit tablets, and some fascinating
Chinese-inspired structures around the area.
One captivating
attraction that everyone must pay attention to is the changing of entrance
guards every hour performed by the real military personnel.
Time: 07:00 am –
10:00 pm, daily
Admission fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT – Red
Line
2. Alight at R15 –
Jiantan Station
3. Use Exit #1
4. Go out on the
right side of the exit where you can find the bus that brings you to the
shrine.
5. Take bus # 556, 902,
and I3 (Other bus #s coming from different parts of the
city: I2, 21, 208, 267, 677, 42, 247, 287, 646).
After approximately
5 minutes, get off at Martyr’s Shrine Bus Stop.
6. Across from the
bus stop, you can see the entrance of the shrine, but be extra cautious toward
the fast-moving vehicle even though you are using the pedestrian crossing or
crosswalk on this particular area.
7. When going back
to MRT – Jiantan Station, you can take Bus # 287 (or other bus numbers posted
on the bus stop). By the way, you can see the bus stop a few meters from the
right side of the entrance.
06. Longshan Temple
Longshan Temple is
one of the oldest and largest temples in Taiwan with authentic traditional
temple architecture. It was built in 1738 and preserved despite some natural
calamities and bombings during World War II. Nowadays, the temple protects several
important religious symbols or characters. These include Guanyin, the Buddhist
Goddess of Mercury and Mazu, the Taoist Goddess of the sea.
Courtesy of Wikimedia
Time: 06:00 am –
10:00 pm
Admission fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT – BLUE
line
2. Alight at BL10 –
Longshan Temple Station
3. Use Exit #1
Tips:
- Please pay respect
to worshipers.
- Don’t create any
noise or disturbance while inside the temple.
- Dress
appropriately.
07. Ximen Shopping District
It is the shopping mecca of Taipei, commonly known as Ximending Youth Shopping District which resembles the Harajuku of Japan, famous for its vibrant and colourful streets. This site is located in Wanhua District, just west of Taipei Main Station. It used to be a recreation district during Japanese colonization and up to now, it has become a public symbol, where an inspiration is drawn from Japanese influence. Certainly, it is a destination sought after among tourists because of its great selection of restaurants or cafes which serve both local and international cuisine, countless fashion clothing and trinket shops, a few stores of hard-to-find souvenirs or commemorative items, and numerous unanticipated street performances and exhibitions seen most especially at the weekends.
It is the shopping mecca of Taipei, commonly known as Ximending Youth Shopping District which resembles the Harajuku of Japan, famous for its vibrant and colourful streets. This site is located in Wanhua District, just west of Taipei Main Station. It used to be a recreation district during Japanese colonization and up to now, it has become a public symbol, where an inspiration is drawn from Japanese influence. Certainly, it is a destination sought after among tourists because of its great selection of restaurants or cafes which serve both local and international cuisine, countless fashion clothing and trinket shops, a few stores of hard-to-find souvenirs or commemorative items, and numerous unanticipated street performances and exhibitions seen most especially at the weekends.
Time:
Admission fee: Free
How to visit:
1. Take MRT – BLUE line or GREEN line
2. Alight at BL11 or G12
3. Use Exit #1 or Exit #3
Tips:
- If you really want to enjoy the place with less congestion of shoppers, you can be there on daylight, probably early or late afternoon.
- Give yourself ample time to explore this wide shopping spot. You can never go bored of wandering around or even just window-shopping.
- Prepare yourself for more instagrammable spots along your way.
- Wear comfortable footwear for more walking.
- Well, if you're fond of shopping, better find accommodation walking distance away from the area. You can check out my other blog about hotels or hostels around Ximen.
- I put Ximen on the last spot so you can enjoy this place from daylight 'till night.
2. Alight at BL11 or G12
3. Use Exit #1 or Exit #3
Tips:
- If you really want to enjoy the place with less congestion of shoppers, you can be there on daylight, probably early or late afternoon.
- Give yourself ample time to explore this wide shopping spot. You can never go bored of wandering around or even just window-shopping.
- Prepare yourself for more instagrammable spots along your way.
- Wear comfortable footwear for more walking.
- Well, if you're fond of shopping, better find accommodation walking distance away from the area. You can check out my other blog about hotels or hostels around Ximen.
- I put Ximen on the last spot so you can enjoy this place from daylight 'till night.
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